GAMBLE: Rule of Cards

IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT

“They really offered you that proposal?” Sandra asked upon hearing Denton’s story about the proposal to him for being the next game head. Denton just got home, after three hours of hectic ride and the whole three hours was just a challenge and a whole lot of stress for him. “I can’t really believe that it happened, though. I thought they were up to something more dangerous… it’s not that I am expecting them to harm you but that’s what I see at them, though. They look dangerous, as to what you told us. Then, they are just going to ask you to be the next game head for a reason that the current game head wants to resign and give you the burden?”

Paul finally talked after silencing a couple of conversations. “How can they think of using you as their excuse to run away from their obligations?” There is an obvious hint of disappointment from Paul. “I do not think that they are serious from the point that the governing buddy chose you, Denton. It sounds like they only want their lives to go easy and to put the burden on you. Anyway, we already know that some of them are eavesdropping on us all inside the house. Did they say anything about us, knowing that Sandra, Jannah and I left the game using the illegal way?”

“The talk mainly consisted of the business and the proposal of me entering the duty as the next game head,” Denton replied. From then on, Paul sighed out of relief. He was really worrying after the office of the game head contacted Denton and was really worrying, not just for his sake, but for the sake of all the innocent people inside the house who might be subjected to an attack. “But I don’t think we can just go around and not worry about our sake and safety. I can sense that they already know about you three and they are just lie-lowing on talking about you all. They said that they will be contacting me for another meeting once it has been settled, the resignation of the current game head.” Sandra and Paul nodded. “Plus, the game head is kind of odd. He talks vaguely and figuratively, in a sense that only few people or only his spokesperson can understand. When we were talking about some things, he said a lot of quotes and idioms. But after silencing a lot, when his emotions burst, his voice went husky and scary.”

“Really?” Sandra asked. “The last time I heard a husky and a scary voice was from Hector and if I were to choose, I would not want to hear it once more,” she continued. “You have this good guts that you can sense danger from a person’s aura, Denton. I don’t think it has already failed once or when it does, it is still half correct. What do you think about the two people you talk about business with? Do you think they’re harmless?”

“I don’t think they’re harmless now… but it might change, knowing their egotistical interest in backing off the throne,” Denton replied. He suddenly went silent and used his brain to think of something. “The thing is, I don’t think becoming a game head is a burden. If you were to think it is actually good, making people play for their interest in the prize money and letting them kill each other is not a tough job, though…” Denton uttered. “But, there might be something about governing a head that makes it hard for one to last long in the position. They also said that if I were to accept it, I will most probably regret it at the end but they did not expound on those words. There might be something off…”

“What are you going to do in the next meeting? You said they will contact you for another meeting once everything is all-settled,” Paul asked. “You know your first aim, Denton, right? You wanted to unravel all the things about governing a game. You want to know where they put all the eliminated players. You want to know all the corruption inside the game. If I were to be asked, I think being a game head will help you in unraveling all of that, in knowing things out of your concern. I know it is dangerous but if you are still interested in knowing those things… I think accepting the position will be the safest and the best option for now. Once you accept those, as a head, you can do everything. Put us also in a position and we will help you.”

“They said that I have no other option but to do this since the winner of this year’s game will be sent abroad to play the world championship, and in the world championship, all of the eliminated players will also be killed. I think between the two options, being the game head is much more safer, but I will still need to work with a worry inside my head,” Denton replied. “And yes, if I accept the proposal, I will be the game head for this year and the next year’s game. Being the game head is like a president of the country, I am in control, so I am going to appoint you in safer positions inside. Anyway, there are still the governing people higher than the game head, they will still monitor… and if I know, the prize money comes from them. It might sound absurd, but I think the game head is just a puppet under the governing people.”

Sandra nodded. “Looks like you were really called for that position, and we can’t do anything about that,” she said. “As per my thinking, I also think that accepting the position is the best way for now. You should get their favor, so they can’t stop you from doing all you wanted to do inside the game.” Sandra looked around the house. “Do you think they can hear all of these words that come out from our mouths?”

—

THE DOORBELL of the house suddenly rang at eight early in the morning. The housemaid immediately went to the gate and opened the gate. “Hello, sir,” the housemaid told the two gentlemen outside the gate, looking gothic with their dark outfits. “How may I help you? Who are you looking for? We are actually not expecting any guest today…”

The taller one entered the house, as if it’s his own house. The shorter one also entered the gate and smiled at the housemaid. “We are sorry for entering the house without any appointment or invitation but we assure you that we know your boss,” the shorter one said. The maid was scared for a minute. “Can you please call your boss and tell him that we are here?” The maid was so scared that it went running towards the house and was screaming his own boss’ name.

Both the two unknown guys entered the house since the door was open. They comfortably placed themselves on the sofa while waiting for the owner of the house to come out and face them. “What are you saying, Imelda? Why did you let two unknown guys inside my house?” Denton muttered while walking out of his room, with messy hair and clothes. He stopped when he saw the two familiar guys sitting on the sofa. “You two again? What are you doing inside my house? I heard you entered my house without even asking to do so…”

“Aren’t we welcome inside the next game head’s house?” the game head asked Denton who was looking intently at the two guys sitting on the sofa. “Hey, don’t forget that we gave you a roof to stay in when you were in the game. Do not tell me you are going to chase us out of your house?”

“Imelda, just go to the kitchen and make something for these two gentlemen here,” Denton told his maid and went away. There was still the visible fear lying inside the maid’s eyes after seeing the two odd-looking wearing black vests go inside the house. Denton walked towards where the two are and covered himself with the robe that he was wearing. “I literally ran towards here in fear that Imelda let in two robbers inside the house and it turns out those were you two. Why did you not notify me before coming here? You are scaring people here.”

“You have become more feisty than the Denton we saw during that meeting and you are more and more becoming a model for a scary game head,” the current game head muttered. Denton just raised his eyebrows, not believing the guy. “Anyway, you know the drill. You already know what is the essense of our next meeting, right?” Denton scratched his eyes like his eyes still wants to sleep. “Yeah, I will just going to wake you up with these news. I just resigned on my position and you need to replace me… immediately.”